Dinnerladies scoop top kitchen award

Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can

Waiting for Video...

Published:16:00Thursday 06 March 2014

Share this article

The dinnerladies of Burgh Primary in Galashiels were stunned to receive the council’s School Kitchen of the Year award last week.

A surprise ceremony was held in the school hall just before lunch was served on Friday, with the catering team presented with their award, flowers and medals in recognition of their success.

The council's 'Kitchen of the Year' award was presented to the dinnerladies at Burgh Primary School in Galashiels. L-r, Jackie Grieve, Carol Ann Bennett and Moira Hazle.

The pupils, armed with lots of banners, gave the three dinnerladies a rousing reception into the hall.

The trio were also treated to a showing of a video that the pupils had put together to nominate the kitchen staff for the award.

Alistair McIntyre, head of catering services for Scottish Borders Council, said: “It is the first time that a school has put together a DVD nomination. Generally, the award is based on figures, but to get anecdotal things from the pupils is fantastic.”

He added that for the school to get all the pupils involved in the nomination was “great”, and praised them for their “proactive and forward-thinking” whole-school approach to catering.

“Better eating means better learning, it is as simple as that,” he said. “Food and education are at the forefront at the moment and this is a great example of that.”

Carol Ann Bennett, cook manager at the school, told The Southern: “We are totally overwhelmed by it, it was the last thing we expected.

“It had never entered our minds, even though we had won Kitchen of the Month in November.”

She said: “To get this award out of all the schools in the Borders is great, and that is thanks to the girls. We have a great rapport. The kitchen staff and the kids have a fantastic relationship. It is like no other school.”

Burgh headteacher Christine Hill said it was a “well deserved award”, adding: “The way the children have spoken about the dinnerladies shows how they feel about them. They are very supportive of the school, such as with fundraising and things like cooking in classrooms. They are always willing to help.”

z Turn down your computer’s volume a little and visit our website to watch the video of the presentation, at www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk